The door to Facilier's shop creaked open of its own accord. Esmeralda followed the Lord in, gazing around in awe at the room. It held objects of fascination, some she recognised, others completely new.

Facilier turned and faced her, "now my dear, let's get down to business shall we?"

Esmeralda frowned, "Business?"

"Your business to me, I saved your life, you must repay me." He stated coolly.

"Repay you?...how I...I have nothing to give."

Facilier laughed, moving towards her slowly. Esmeralda's eyes darted around; the shadows on the walls seemed to follow his every movement, moving with and without him.

"You have your soul."

"What?" she looked at him confused. She resisted the urge to back away as he stepped closer to her.

"Sell your soul to me, make yourself mine completely, and on occasion – bring me victims."

Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him, her head tilting to the side causing her hair to fall away from her shoulder, revealing the flawless skin of her neck. He gazed at the offending morsel of skin hungrily, wanting her even more as he imagined the taste of her blood on his tongue...

"What's in it for me?" she asked, not fully believing him but deciding to go with it anyway.

He chuckled and moved towards his table, lounging on the chair, kicking his legs up on the table. "Forever a ruthless Gypsy, huh?"

She shrugged, "I'm no fool," She told him, moving closer to him slightly.

He laughed, "My service is simple. You sell yourself to me – making you mine forever. And I will give you a...gift."

"A gift?" she looked at him unimpressed. "Yeah, thanks but no thanks" she replied, turning to leave but his hand grabbed her wrist and spun her round to face him. Her sparkling green eyes widened as they found his that were now the colour of freshly shed blood. His grip on her was almost painful.

"Don't Defy me." He snarled.

She gasped and ripped her arm out of his grasp, clutching it to her chest as she slowly backed away. "What are you?" her voice was but a whisper.

He grinned, and evil, dangerous grin that revealed the fangs. "I'm an immortal, a creature of the night, an angel of darkness, vampire – the list of names go on." He slowly moved towards her with every word.

"It is through this I have my powers. The blood I drink strengthens me, regenerates me, and feeds my magic." He told her, flicking his hand lazily and the shadows around them came to life. They crept up his body, his clothes moving with them. They then slipped to the floor, reaching near her like running water. They were black as night with faces of demons.

Esmeralda gasped and moved back from them but they gripped her ankles and held her where she stood, they felt cold and soft like mist. She looked up at the Lord and saw him grinning at her still, he raised his arms either side of him and the wall behind him came to life; a large face of colours was there surrounded by smaller ones. It moved of its own accord, looking at her, grinning. The faces around it chanted an ancient song that hypnotised her, made her eyes widen and her struggles stop.

Then Facilier was before her, "Pledge yourself to me, and life forever. Be mine and you will not need to hide, fight or live in fear of those around you. Be my Lady, and be one with me."

She couldn't move, but her eyes followed him, he took the sceptre-like walking stick and held it to her eyes, she looked into the large, glass orb atop it and she saw herself. She peered closer and it showed her in a gown of glistening jewels, she saw herself dancing on stage in the festivals, the crowd of villagers adoring her and enchanted by her. She say her eyes shinning blood red and her fangs glinting in the moonlight as she walked in the shadows of the night. She saw herself beautifully flawless. She saw Facilier with her, he kissed her and they tumbled together onto the sheets of a grand bed. She saw the people of the city adoring and accepting her, envying her beauty and wanting to be with her. She saw her heart's desire that her people were no longer outcasts, hated by society. She say the Gypsies rise up and be accepted by all. She saw it all and she wanted it.

Facilier lowered the crystal, dispelling the illusion and leaned in so close to her.
"You want it, i can give you it. Just be mine, and have your heart's desires."

He held out his hand, the shadows unleashed her and she panted heavily, they swirled around them, colours she could not name mixed with the shadows, the chanting of the faces grew louder. She could see him, his blood red eyes, his power, she reached out towards his hand.

"Yes" she whispered, desire lacing her voice.

Facilier smirked at her triumphantly, "It's a deal." His hand gripped her's in a warm, iron clasp. He suddenly pulled her, jerking her forwards towards him. He pushed her shoulder, spinning her round so her back was pressed against his chest. His arm locked around her waist and the other tangled in her hair. His lips found her ear, "you belong to me."

His fangs sank into the soft skin of her neck, her blood pulsed into his mouth. He groaned at the taste, drinking deeper. Strangled pants and whimpers escaped Esmeralda's mouth and darkness took over her vision as she sank into unconsciousness.